The Business of Dance

01:04:09

93 - Johanna Sapakie - Building a 20+ year Dance and...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/19

Interview Date: April 13th, 2025Episode Summary:International choreographer, aerialist, and performer Johanna Sapakie (Cirque du Soleil, Super Bowl LIV with Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers, Dita Las Vegas) drops a masterclass in longevity and reinvention. From creating her own “scholarship program” after a studio closed, to bold networking that led to her first agent within months, Johanna shows how resourcefulness plus relentless training turn opportunities into credits. She breaks down the leap from

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00:59:30

92- Eseniia, Alexander & Marina Mikheev: From Moscow...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/19

Interview Date: April 6th, 2025Episode Summary:Eseniia is an 8-year-old dance prodigy originally from Moscow, now performing and training in the U.S., who rose to international attention after viral clips and a standout run on America’s Got Talent. In this episode Eseniia joins the Business of Dance with her parents—both dancers and teachers—to trace how a family training method, early multistyle exposure, and fearless play helped her develop an unusual musicality and stage confidence at a very

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01:13:53

91- Kayla Moran: From Dancer to Attorney for Creators

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/12

Interview Date: March 30th, 2025Episode Summary:Florida-based trademark and contract attorney Kayla Moran joins the Business of Dance to bridge two worlds: the discipline of competitive dance and the realities of creator-economy law. Raised in Miami in a Cuban-Ecuadorian family and trained for 15+ years across ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip-hop, Kayla shares how a teacher’s challenge—“Don’t be a space filler”—became a life mantra through law school and into entrepreneurship.Kayla unpacks the gap

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01:06:40

90- Robert Garland: : Dance Theatre of Harlem’s...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/12

Interview Date: March 23rd, 2025Episode Summary:This episode spotlights Robert Garland, Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH)—former principal dancer, DTH’s first resident choreographer, and a Juilliard BFA graduate. Beyond the concert stage, Garland’s work spans New York City Ballet, The Royal Ballet, Oakland Ballet, and commercial projects from Sesame Street to Nike and the NAACP Image Awards.Garland traces DTH’s roots to Arthur Mitchell’s 1969 vision and explains how Mitchell’s

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00:58:25

89 - Melissa McGhee: Secrets of a 13-Time National...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/05

Interview date: March 9th, 2025Episode Summary:Melissa McGhee, Head Coach of The Ohio State University Dance Team and owner of Lineage Dance Company. With 13 national championships and nearly two decades of experience, Melissa is a leading figure in the collegiate dance world.Melissa shares her journey from a young studio dancer in Toledo, Ohio, to becoming OSU’s head coach right after graduation, and later, a studio owner. She offers an inside look at the college dance team recruiting process,

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01:01:41

88- Khalid Freeman: Stomp, MJ One & 5 Super Bowls

The Business of Dance ·

2025/10/05

Interview Date: February 16th, 2025Episode Summary: This episode features Khalid Freeman—body percussionist, choreographer, and field team director—known for merging musicianship and movement. A veteran of STOMP (nine years), Cirque du Soleil, and five Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Khalid translates drummer-level musicality onto the body, treating the performer as the instrument itself.Khalid retraces his path from tap (inspired by Gregory Hines) to stepping and finally to body percussion, unpacking

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01:13:12

87 - Jason Pickett: From Self-Taught Dancer to Global...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/09/28

Interview Date: February 2nd, 2025Episode Summary:Jason Pickett, a dance educator, choreographer, and the creator of the No Starving Artists brand. Jason shares his unique journey, from starting his dance career at 14 by self-teaching and getting inspired by YouTube and movies, to now traveling the world teaching at conventions and judging competitions.He emphasizes the importance of building genuine relationships, networking, and having a clear personal brand. He shares lessons learned from his own

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01:01:15

86 - CESD Agent: Rebecca Lampiasi: Unlocking the...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/09/21

Interview Date: January 26th, 2025Episode Summary:Rebecca Lampiasi, a dance agent at CESD in New York City. Rebecca shares her journey from growing up in a family of artists in New Jersey to discovering her true passion for supporting artists during her time at NYU Tisch. Initially involved in theater and acting, Rebecca shifted her focus to agency work, starting at a commercial casting office before joining CESD. She discusses her role as a dance agent, representing clients in theater, TV, film,

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01:36:37

85 - Larke Hasstedt: Ciara, Britney Spears, Beyonce,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/09/14

Interview Date: January 5th, 2025Episode Summary:Larke Hasstedt, a talented dancer who transitioned from classical ballet to the commercial dance world. Larke, who was born into a dance family, began her training at a young age and eventually joined prestigious ballet companies like Pacific Northwest Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theater. However, her journey took a pivotal turn when she moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in commercial dance.Larke shares her story of moving to LA with nothing but a

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00:53:03

Ep. 84 – Megan Hui: Triple Threat Performer Blending...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/09/07

Interview Date: September 17th, 2023Episode Summary:Megan, a former rhythmic gymnast turned dancer, actress, and stunt performer. Megan’s journey from a national-level gymnast to a successful career in entertainment showcases the power of leveraging one’s skills in unexpected ways. Starting with rhythmic gymnastics at the age of nine, Megan became a national silver medalist before transitioning into dance while pursuing a business degree at the University of British Columbia. After moving to Los

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01:03:43

83 - Christie Lee Manning: (House Of Jazz UK, Nelly...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/08/31

Interview Date: October 1st, 2023Episode Summary: Christie Lee Manning, a versatile dancer, choreographer, actress, and educator. Christie shares her journey from growing up on the West Coast of Canada to moving to London, where she established herself in both the commercial and theater dance scenes. With notable projects like Wicked, Dance Monsters, and her work with House of Jazz, she discusses the unique opportunities London offers dancers, blending the best of Broadway-style theater and

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01:14:56

82 - Nika Kljun: Beyoncé, J Balvin, Britney Spears,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/08/24

Interview date: October 29, 2024Episode Summary:Nika Kljun, a renowned dancer, choreographer, and life coach, to discuss her extraordinary journey from Slovenia to Hollywood. Nika shares insights on her humble beginnings in her parents’ dance studio and how her early success in Europe led to major international opportunities. She talks about her experience working with A-list artists like Beyoncé, JLo, and Britney Spears, and the importance of resilience in the dance industry. Nika also opens up

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00:55:12

81 - Dan Galpern & Mike Minery: Dance One: From Stage...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/08/17

Interview date: May 19, 2025Episode Summary:Dan Galpern, CEO of Dance One, and Mike Minery, VP of Dance One. They discuss the creation and growth of Dance One, a leading organization in the dance industry that produces over 500 events annually through 21 brands. Dan shares how his background as a dance dad led him to invest in the dance industry, culminating in the formation of Dance One, which combines competition events, conventions, and educational opportunities for dancers. Mike, with his

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01:30:34

80 - Liz Imperio: Madonna, Michael Jackson, Gloria...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/08/10

Interview date: December 8, 2024Episode Summary:Liz Imperio, a renowned choreographer, director, and educator with an extensive career working with superstars like Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, and Gloria Estefan. Liz shares her personal journey from a young dancer struggling with body image in ballet to becoming a leading figure in the dance industry. She discusses pivotal moments, including her discovery of flamenco, working alongside Kenny Ortega, and choreographing her first world tour at the age of

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00:47:49

79 - Bobby Amamizu: Cirque du Soleil’s Viva Elvis,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/08/03

Interview date: July 16, 2023Episode Summary:Bobby Amamizu, a seasoned dancer, educator, and choreographer. Bobby shares his inspiring journey from a competitive dancer at Irvine Dance Academy to working with top choreographers and performing in high-profile productions like Dancing with the Stars. He talks about his early years in the dance industry, including the pivotal moments that shaped his career, such as performing in the Fiona Apple music video at just 10 years old and his experiences with

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00:51:45

78 - Noah Lands: KAR Productions, Rainbow & Ultra...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/07/27

Interview date: January 20, 2025Episode Summary:Noah Lands, the visionary behind some of the dance industry's biggest platforms—including Kids Artistic Review (KAR), Rainbow Dance Connection, the Industry Dance Awards, and Dancers Against Cancer (DAC). Noah discusses the growth of his businesses, the evolution of dance competitions, and the creation of Rainbow and Ultra Dance, as well as the prestigious Industry Dance Awards, which honor excellence across multiple competitions. He also dives

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00:56:47

77 - Alex Wong: Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, SYTYCD,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/07/20

Interview date: February 9, 2025Episode summary:Alex Wong, a dynamic dancer, choreographer, and social media influencer with over 4 million followers. From his early training in Vancouver to becoming a principal dancer at Miami City Ballet, Alex’s journey spans ballet, Broadway, commercial dance, and TV/film work. He opens up about his time on So You Think You Can Dance, his transition into commercial dance, overcoming injuries, and leveraging social media to grow his career. Alex shares valuable

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00:48:28

76 - Mfoniso Akpan: Artistic Director of Step Afrika,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/07/13

Interview date: March 16, 2025Episode Summary:Mfoniso Akpan, Artistic Director of Step Afrika, shares her unique journey from a science student at Stony Brook University to leading a renowned dance company. With training in various dance styles, she combines creativity with analytical problem-solving, using skills from her science background to enhance her choreography.She discusses her extensive travels with Step Afrika, performing in 60 countries and 49 U.S. states, and the company’s mission to

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00:45:05

75 - Kyle Ponte: ¨Performing with Global Icons:...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/07/06

Interview date: November 17, 2022Episode Summary:Kyle Ponte, a dancer, choreographer, and international model who started his journey as a competitive dancer in Massachusetts. Kyle shares his incredible story, from winning a scholarship to the Hollywood Summer Tour at 17 to becoming a professional dancer in Los Angeles. He opens up about his experiences working with artists like Alicia Keys and touring with Lady Gaga, as well as his time living and working in China.Kyle reflects on his journey and

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00:53:39

74 - Shirlene Quigley: Touring with Lizzo, Beyoncé,...

The Business of Dance ·

2025/06/29

Interview date: October 9, 2022Episode Summary:Menina Fortunato speaks with longtime friend and professional dancer Shirlene Quigley, who was touring with Lizzo at the time of taping The Business of Dance Podcast. Shirlene shares her inspiring journey from a late starter in dance to booking major gigs with artists like Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, and Rihanna. She talks about the challenges she faced, including body image issues and industry expectations, and how her faith, supportive family, and

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